Uganda deports British producer of gay-themed play

KAMPALA, Uganda 
A Ugandan government official says the country has deported a British producer who staged a gay-themed play because he "defied the directives" of Ugandan authorities.

Ethics Minister Simon Lokodo said Tuesday that David Cecil, who faced charges in a Ugandan court of "disobeying lawful orders," was an "undesirable" foreigner whose goal was to promote gay rights. Cecil was cleared of this charge last month. He was deported Monday night.

Cecil's play, "The River and the Mountain," explored the condition of Uganda's gays at a time when the country's lawmakers are considering a new law that would raise penalties against homosexuals. Homosexuality is illegal in Uganda.

Cecil, who girlfriend is Ugandan, denied he was a gay activist, insisting he only wanted to highlight the ways in which sexuality and politics intersect.